Hey, I would like to get anyone's opinion on the matter, but I am looking to upgrade my boat and I was wondering if it would be better to sell my boat or trade it in. I have been doing some looking around the DFW area and I found a boat I like at www.planomarine.com but I don't wanna tote the thing all the way over there only to get an offer I am not happy with. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If the boat is in good shape I would definitely try to sell myself. I traded one when I bought my Ranger because the boat and trailer were [censored] but the dealer really wanted the motor. Keep in mind on a trade you will get to knock the sales tax on the trade off what you pay for sales tax. If I trade a car I tell dealers that since I itemize my taxes the sales tax discount on the trade is not worth full value.

Thanks for the info, boss. It's a pretty old boat, but it's still in good condition. I inherited it and I am still kinda new to the whole boat buying scene.

Just like a car, selling your boat to an individual is always better than trading it in. An individual is going to keep your boat. A boat dealer is going to re-sell your boat. Back when I had 2 boats, I spoke to a local boat dealer about trading them in on a new boat. They wanted to give me $10,000 for both. I got $16K selling them to individuals.

JMO.

You'll usually come out ahead by selling yours.

its like every thing else on wheels sell it yourself deal with folks lake test an so on an get more money or trade it in let the dealership earn the money.

A lot dealers will offer low book -10% on trades.

Good used boats are selling privately for a premium right now.

Price it right and sell it yourself.

I have sold cars. I have friends that sell cars. I am going to go out on a limb and say that boat dealers, like car dealers, are always going to low-ball you up front. YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO GET A DEALERS "BEST" OFFER THE MINUTE YOU WALK IN THE DOOR. Doing that takes money out of the salesman and the dealership's pockets.